Cholera

Cholera - Sanofi Pasteur

Cholera is caused by a bacterium, vibrio cholerae, which produces a toxin that affects the intestines. This bacterium has been at the origin of devastating epidemics worldwide throughout history.

Symptoms of cholera

After an incubation period ranging from a few hours to four days, cholera is mainly characterized by acute watery diarrhea associated with vomiting.

The severity of the disease is mainly correlated to the risk of severe dehydration, which can lead to death in a few hours.

Treatment thus relies on a rehydration adapted to the patient’s condition.

Epidemiology and vaccination against cholera

Cholera is a strictly human disease that is transmitted from person to person through fecally contaminated food and water and thus affects mainly low and middle-income countries in Asia, South America, and Africa. In 2016, a total of 132,121 cholera cases and 2,420 deaths were reported to WHO by 38 countries.(1)

Hygiene and sanitation are the cornerstones in the fight against this disease.

Vaccination against Cholera is available and can play an important role in outbreak prevention and control.(2)